Responsibilities:

• Learn the local language and culture
• Work with the team to start, and eventually run, a community center to build relationships and share Christ with locals
• Work with a church planting team to evangelize, disciple, gather believers, and develop leaders
• Engage in hospitality with locals—both believers and non-believers
• As a team member, engage to shape and implement the expanding church planting strategy determined by the team

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized bachelor’s degree
• Completion of at least 30 hours of Bible/theology/ministry and 15 hours of intercultural studies
• Spouse must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree and have completed at least 18 hours of Bible/theology, 12 hours of missions/ministry studies (with a minimum of 6 hours in cross-cultural or missions studies)
• Completion of Alliance Polity course
• Completion of Alliance ordination/consecration
• Minimum of two years successful Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience
• A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 40
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and complete ministry tasks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Training or experience working with those in the majority religion
• Experience leading people to Christ
• Established track record of discipleship
• TESOL/ESL training and experience
• Training or experience in community development

Biblical Characteristics Desired:

• Kingdom-minded
• Biblically grounded
• Spirit-dependent 
• Competently skilled
• Self-aware
• Self-disciplined

Timeline for Deployment:

Summer/fall of 2024. Following appointment, and once fundraising goals and other qualifications are met, the appointee is required to attend a cross-cultural and language-acquisition program, and pre-field orientation prior to deploying.

General Information:

This ancient city has rapidly grown into a sprawl of over a million. Multicultural yet conservative, locals are interested in Western ideas but rooted in their traditions. Regional political and aid efforts are based here because of its openness, location, relative security, and development. In the plains of a mountainous region, locals picnic in the mountains in the spring and drink sugary, hot tea year-round. Summers are very hot and dry while winters are moderately cold. Electricity and water are not always dependable, but services are improving each year. There are a growing number of Western-style stores, cafés, restaurants, high-rise buildings, malls, grocery stores, hotels, and parks. Although overwhelmingly unreached, it is home to a small group of ethnic Christians, with a handful of evangelical congregations. There are almost no majority cultural congregations found in the city. These believers generally fellowship with other language groups or in small home groups.

Language Expectations:

Language is an essential part of ministry. There is no formal language school, and learning is typically done with individual tutors. After 24 months of full-time language study, teammates should be advanced in the local language according to the ACTFL guidelines. After 24 months, funds will be made available to continue in part-time language learning.

Health Considerations:

Workers should be in good health to thrive in this environment. Public health care is generally sub-standard, although there are some better private facilities, especially in a sister city. Pharmacies carry most medicines. Any routine or emergency procedure can be done locally. Any major non-emergency surgeries should be done abroad.

Expectations for Spouse:

Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.

Children’s Educational Plan and Options:

Good schooling options are limited. While there are private international schools that educate in English, some lack upper grades or only offer a minimal curriculum. While some IWs have been satisfied with these institutions, especially for primary school, other IWs have home schooled or utilized online classes.